Runners are generally serious people with Type-A personalities, the kind that find motivation in the chase of perfection. They normally enjoy structure and relish the chance to evaluate themselves by their wristwatches. Rigid training schedules format their day so as not to allow anything to disrupt their much needed run. Yet, on some rare occasions when the pressures of competition and training become too much, runners can let their guard down, and, in the case of the New York City Underwear Run, their pants too!

Held annually the Friday evening prior to the New York City Triathlon, the Underwear Run contains approximately 500 highly motivated fun seekers who clad themselves only in their skivvies. Bodies of all shapes and sizes adorn little more than a smile and a positive attitude as they bounce, shimmy, and glide through the world's most famous park. Sports bras and bikini briefs. Boxers and boy shorts. Pink ones and black ones. Lace and elastic. Traditional and downright bizarre. If you wear it under your day clothes or just in the darkest hours late at night, you'll see it trekking through Central Park in all its glory.

Leave your modesty at the door if you elect to dive into this ocean of flesh and cotton. The 1.7 mile run, which in 2009 broke the world record for total people gathered in one place in their underwear, winds through the tree-lined streets of Central Park, drawing plenty on onlookers and an impressive number of cell phone cameras. With no timing chips, no transitions, no race numbers, no fancy gadgets or gizmos, the run represents the heart of the Big Apple's approach to life: personal expression to the greatest conceivable degree. Absurdity and fun don't get any better than this.

So, if you are interested in a run as memorable as any, or if you simply want to figure out exactly what Victoria's secret actually is, go to http://www.nyctri.com/Central_Park_Underwear_Run.htm for additional information and pictures of last year's race. You may want to train for this one and eat a few less cookies though. Failing to do so may bring about a whole new definition of indecent exposure. Not to worry, however, as next year's race is a ways away...on July 14th at 7:30 pm.

Turn on the television and you will rarely see running. On the odd occasions you do, it is normally a major marathon, and you'll watch elite runners whisk through the city streets of New York and Boston on their way to finishing in just about two hours. Yet, for the rest of the world that loves running for the silent, self-driven discipline that it is, the glory of the sport happens on the weekends, when countless individuals meet and compete on city roads and in rural parks. But, while these venues are wonderful, you have experienced nothing until you've run in the mountains.

In Asheville, North Carolina, in the spectacular Swannanoa Valley, resides a race that will exceed the expectations of any runner, and it will, after finishing, inject each participant with a sense of pride felt little before. The course, set on challenging terrain over a 10k distance, climbs just over 1500 feet in the first few miles; however, that is child's play compared to what happens thereafter.

Runners will then abruptly work to summit Choctaw Rock, which is a total of 3800 feet, leaving them over 2300 additional feet to traverse after the opening miles. Once they arrive at the top, they will work to navigate a tight ridgeline along their way to the 3900 foot summit of Eden Rock. Afterwards, they complete a rapid downhill to the shore of Lake Eden and the well-earned finish line.

Runners are cautioned to essentially double their normal 10k time, and most come to realize that they can in no way run the entire course, as it is a technical and tactical monster that will confront your every flaw and weakness. The terrain, dominated by heavy roots, rocks, downed trees, and steep inclines, makes the experience a memorable one, and the true physical beauty of the surroundings will capture your eye as you work harder than you ever have in a pair of sneakers.

Although it eclipses just over six miles, the race runs much longer and harder. If you are up for a challenge, head to the mountains and give this one a go.